Fieldwork in the Arctic
The Arctic Research Support and Logistics Program asks that researchers not expect to go to the field during the same fiscal year in which their proposal was submitted. One year from the time of submission is most common. This allows time for the NSF proposal review and award process, followed by several months to plan and budget for fieldwork.
Air support
Battelle ARO handles a majority of charters for the Arctic Program, though there are exceptions depending on location of fieldwork. Be prepared to identify the type of support you require. Do you need closed support, or can you be dropped off in the field with a later pick up time? Do you need to mount special equipment on the aircraft? Contact [email protected] for more info.
Camping Consumables
For smaller efforts, Battelle ARO recommends that researchers budget and procure their own camping consumables. For larger efforts or large field camps, Battelle ARO can offer consumables support. Contact your provider, or [email protected]
Construction, Enclosures, and Boardwalk
Battelle ARO construction personnel can help design and install buildings, enclosures, boardwalk and other structures. Most construction projects have a relatively long planning and permitting lead-time. Failure to identify construction requirements at the proposal stage may delay the start of field work. Contact [email protected] for more info.
Data Communications
Battelle ARO can assist researchers with engineering and implementing custom data communications solutions.
Facility Use Costs
- User days: Contact the third-party logistics provider for the facility you wish to visit to determine how user days are paid.
- Hotel lodging: Depending on your location, Battelle ARO may be able to assist with arrangements for local accommodations.
- Local meals: Researchers should budget for meals when staying at hotels/local accommodations that do not offer "user day" rates.
Field Team Members (head count)
It’s important to start off with an approximate number of field team members to help in estimating travel and subsistence costs.
Permitting
Depending on the location, field work in Alaska will likely require land-use permits from either Federal, State, or local municipal land owners.
See = Project Permitting.
Remote Power Systems
The Battelle ARO team has extensive experience with design, installation, operation and maintenance in all power technology areas: engine (reciprocating diesel & microturbine), fuel cell, hydroelectric, photovoltaic, storage/rechargeable batteries, and wind turbine generators (WTG).
Battelle ARO team is experienced in:
- Erecting towers and photovoltaics on unstable soils or snow, using hardware and anchors designed especially for permafrost or snow structures
- Integrated, redundant power-generation systems to strategically overlay complementary power sources (example – photovoltaics and wind turbines as a primary input, with fossil fuel generators as secondary)
- Internal instrument heating systems
- Integrated remote monitoring, command, and control systems
Battelle ARO can design power systems to meet the specific needs of researchers and projects whether it is a quickly deployed renewable energy based portable power systems or a long-term power systems designed to minimize impacts to the research project through the use of clean renewable energy and strategic placement so as not to influence normal snow accumulation patterns. Please reach out to your Battelle ARO PM or the Construction Manager for more information.
Photo by: Roy Stehle
Satellite Telephones and HF/VHF Radios
Most facilities managed by third-party logistics providers offer some level of communications infrastructure. For all others, Battelle ARO offers a substantial communications inventory.
